Life can be extremely challenging
For parents of children with complex and clinical needs, life can be extremely challenging and without professional support this can prevent them from doing things which everyone else takes for granted, such as shopping, completing household chores or spending time with their other children.
This is something Roxanne knows only too well and why she is very grateful for the support we provide to her daughter Destiny.
When she was eight months old, Destiny was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, a rare epilepsy syndrome affecting around 1 in 15,000 children in the UK which causes seizures and can lead to other conditions.
In Destiny’s case she also has severe autism and associated challenging behaviour and is largely non-verbal.
Valuing the support of Caremark Rotherham & Sheffield
“Destiny’s seizures can be caused by pretty much anything, including the temperature of a room, being in water too long, anxiety, different lights and even if she laughs too much,” explains Roxanne.
“Over the course of her life this has resulted in her flatlining ten times and being in a coma.”
Roxanne has two other children who thankfully don’t have the same condition as their sister, but as a single mum, this makes life more difficult, and that’s why she values the support of Caremark Rotherham and Sheffield.
We have consistently supported the family for the past three years, with our high-calibre and highly-trained Support Workers attending each weekend and during school holidays to look after Destiny, which provides Roxanne with some much-needed respite.
She loves all her Support Workers
The Support Workers are absolutely fantastic and Destiny loves them all – Olatunji, Funmilayo and Asma, but especially Asma
“She sits waiting at the window for them on a Saturday and is full of smiles and cuddles when she sees them.
“One of the very best things is they don’t ignore my other children when they are here and that’s important to me as I have never wanted them to feel pushed out. So, they will come and spend time with them as well.
“I have also had fantastic support from Jade and Kirsty from the head office and they are all absolutely fantastic and I know they have my back 1,000%.
“They have made me feel that I now have a life outside of Destiny, which is important
About Caremark Rotherham & Sheffield
If you are a parent of a child with complex or clinical needs living in Rotherham or Sheffield, please have a look at our website for complex care in Rotherham and Sheffield, or contact us directly on 01709 789340 to speak to a member of our team.